Supporting Innovation in South Australia (SISA)

Programme status in 2026

Applications for the South Australian startup visa are closed until further notice. The state migration service has removed the programme's page and now lists the National Innovation visa and business visas still processed for existing applications. A new application under this programme cannot be lodged in 2026.

How the programme worked

• Visa. A temporary subclass 408 visa in the Australian Government endorsed events stream.
• Term. Up to 3 years to develop the project in South Australia.
• Endorsement. Support from the state's Chief Entrepreneur or a recognised ecosystem provider: an incubator, accelerator or university.
• Requirements. An early-stage innovative project and in-depth knowledge, experience or a track record in the chosen field.
• Sectors. Priority went to space, cybersecurity, big data, defence, agribusiness, medical technology and robotics.

Successful founders then moved to permanent business visas, but that path is closed too: the subclass 188 business visa has not accepted new applications since 31 July 2024.

Why founders looked at Adelaide

South Australia built a technology ecosystem around the programme. Adelaide has an innovation precinct on the site of a former hospital, home to the headquarters of the Australian Space Agency, plus technology clusters in defence, cybersecurity and health. For a founder this meant access to government customers, universities and incubators. Today you can enter that ecosystem via the National Innovation visa or a job at a local company and then develop your own project.

What founders can use now

The National Innovation visa has applied since 7 December 2024 and replaced the business programme and the former Global Talent visa. It grants permanent residence immediately but only by invitation.

South Australia also publishes its own occupation list for state nomination under points-tested visas and a separate list for its designated area migration agreement, under which employers can hire foreigners on softer terms. For a founder with an engineering or technical background these routes are sometimes more accessible than the 858 visa.

National Innovation visa: cost and conditions

• Fee for the main applicant - 6,235 Australian dollars, about $4,340, per the Department of Home Affairs price list and the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026.
• Invitation. An expression of interest comes first; the visa is processed only after an invitation.
• Nominator. A person or organisation with a national reputation in your field confirms your achievements.
• International-level achievements in a profession, research, sport, the arts or as an entrepreneur.
• Age. Applicants under 18 or 55 and over must show exceptional benefit to Australia.

The visa grants permanent residence to the whole family at once. More on the route and chances: Australian residence.

Documents for the 858 visa

• passport and education documents;
• evidence of achievements: awards, patents, publications, investment in your project, revenue and company growth;
• the nominator form describing your contribution;
• reference letters from recognised experts;
• police certificates and a medical examination;
• marriage and children's birth certificates.

What to check before applying

• achievements below international level;
• no nominator with a national reputation in your field;
• an early-stage project without proven results: such a profile suited the closed state programme, not the 858 visa;
• failed health or character checks;
• age under 18 or 55+ without proof of exceptional benefit.

Family

Under the National Innovation visa a spouse and children are included in the application and receive permanent residence at once. A secondary applicant fee is paid for each, with marriage and birth documents, medicals and police certificates for adults.

Taxes

Australian tax residents pay income tax on worldwide income at progressive rates up to 45%, plus a 2% Medicare levy. A founder should plan the company ownership structure and the timing of the move in advance to avoid double taxation. We work out the details in a consultation.

Risks and what can change

• State programmes change: the innovation programme may return in another form, and we monitor this.
• Competition for 858 invitations is high, and invitations are limited.
• Processing for the 858 visa can be long after invitation.
• Early-stage startups without results can hardly get to Australia now; starting elsewhere is easier.
• Temporary founder visas in other states also change, so before applying we check each state's current programmes, not just South Australia's.

Alternatives

• Australian residence - all current routes, including the 858 visa.
• Canada startup visa - for founders backed by a fund or incubator.
• UK startup visa - for endorsed innovative projects.
• European startup visas in 2026 - a comparison.

What changed and what we rely on

The subclass 188 business visa has been closed to new applications since 31 July 2024. Since 7 December 2024 the National Innovation visa, subclass 858, has replaced the business programme and the Global Talent visa. Supporting Innovation in South Australia is closed to new applications until further notice. Sources: the South Australian migration service and the Australian Department of Home Affairs; checked on 6 October 2026.

Why the programme was attractive

What a founder who wanted this visa should do

FAQ